The key feature of bolted joints is that they can be dismantled comparatively easily. However they are costly in that frequently additional parts are needed (washer, nut) compared to riveted or welded joints and they require more skill /
effort to assemble. For these reasons they should only be used where there is a strong possibility that the parts will at some stage require to be separated.

There are several considerations when designing a bolted joint. Firstly the required clamping force (and hence size) of each bolt and secondly the distribution of the fasteners when more than one is needed (which will normally be the case).
Some other points that are important when specifying bolts / or designing a joint are given below:

1. An important factor in making a successful joint is tightening the the bolt to the appropriate torque to give the needed clamping force. This is difficult to do for short bolts, but becomes increasingly easier the longer the bolt clamping
length is made. For this reason the use of short bolts for critical applications involving high clamping forces should be avoided.

2. The torque required to develop a specific tension is very dependent upon the friction in the threads - and the coefficient of friction can vary widely according to the lubricant used. Special 'torque oils' are available for use with fasteners
in critical situations which give reasonably consistent friction.

3. The thread form of many bolts gives rise to a stress concentration factor of 2+ to 3+. A similar magnitude of stress concentration may present in screws where the thread runs the full length to the head. Rolled threads have lower fatigue strength reduction factors than cut threads.

4. As a rule of thumb, where a joint is to include a gasket for sealing purposes, the maximum bolt centre distance should be no more than 6 x bolt diameter. To allow for wrench access, the minimum bolt spacing should not be less than 3 x bolt
diameter.

5. Bolts must be tightened so that whatever loading is applied, they are always in tension. However normally the shear stresses caused by any shear loads should be calculated (see applet below). In the case of joints subjected to cyclic loading, using a high preload will usually give a longer fatigue life than using a lower preload. For bolts
used in very highly loaded fatigue applications, eg engine cylinder heads, it is common practice to tighten them till they are plastically deformed. Obviously this means they should not normally be re-used (some car engine manufacturers allow one re-use).

6. Threads in aluminium parts that have to carry high loads should be fitted with stainless steel 'helicoils'.

7. When a bolt is screwed into a block of metal, the stiffness of the threads on the bolt will probably be very different from the stiffness of the threads in the block into which the bolt is screwed. This means that almost the entire load will
probably be carried by the first one or two of turns of the engaged thread. Increasing the length of engaged thread will not change this. To mitigate this problem, the cross section of the boss into
which the bolt is screwed should have a carefully calculated cross section that tapers. If this is done correctly the load will be carried over several turns.